The Waldrand Orchestra was founded in 1970 at the Waldschlösschen on the edge of the forest (Waldrand), near the jazz stronghold of Göttingen. The instrumentation consists of: 4 saxophones or clarinets, 2 trumpets, 1 tuba and 1 double bass, piano, and banjo.
From the very beginning, the Waldrand Orchestra has oriented itself towards the style of European Hot Jazz orchestras of the 20s and early 30s, best described by the term "Ballroom Jazz". As was common in the 20s, arrangements of both black and white American Hot Jazz orchestras such as McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Joe "King" Oliver, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong are performed.
However, the Waldrand Orchestra also features original arrangements of British orchestras of that era – e.g. Rhythmic Eight, by Jack Hylton, Jack Payne, Jack Jackson – and especially German orchestras of the 20s and 30s. Notable examples include the orchestras of Julian Fuhs, Friedrich Holländer, Michael Jary, and Teddy Stauffer.
In addition to titles from old German sound films such as "Ich brech' die Herzen der stolzesten Frau'n" or "Das Fräulein Gerda", the Waldrand Orchestra was inspired not least by the Comedian Harmonists to form a three-part vocal section, performing their hits – "Wochenend und Sonnenschein", "Mein kleiner grüner Kaktus", and "Veronika".
With all due musical fidelity, the musicians of the Waldrand Orchestra strive to perform the pieces as authentically as necessary, but as originally as possible.